London: Scientists have developed a new blood test that can predict epilepsy (Parkinson’s disease) up to seven years before symptoms appear.
The disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become dysfunctional over time, leading to tremors, slowness of movement and memory problems.
Currently, there is no cure for this disease, but experts believe that early diagnosis of the disease will help in finding treatment that can help slow or stop the disease.
The test uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict a person’s likelihood of developing Parkinson’s. This disease is caused by the death of nerve cells in the part of the brain (which controls movement).
When these nerve cells die or are damaged, they lose their ability to make an important chemical called dopamine.
Currently, people with Parkinson’s are treated with dopamine replacement therapy in an attempt to improve quality of life as much as possible.
As new therapies become available to treat Parkinson’s, clinicians need to diagnose the disease before symptoms appear, said senior study author Professor Kevin Mills, from University College London.
This test works by looking for eight disease-related proteins in the blood.
